Kabir Khan, Director of Chandu Champion, Believes Bollywood is Now Obsessed with Numbers: ‘It’s Like a Game’
Back in the day, reaching the Rs 100 crore milestone at the box office seemed like an impossible feat for filmmakers. However, the landscape has changed significantly. Filmmakers are now setting their sights on generating Rs 500 to Rs 1000 crore, a milestone achieved by multiple films.
Veteran filmmaker Kabir Khan recently shared his thoughts on Bollywood’s fixation with box office numbers. He expressed his concern that it has turned into a competition within the industry, which he believes is not healthy. Keep reading to learn more!
Kabir Khan highlights Bollywood’s focus on numbers
Following the release of a Bollywood film, weekly updates flood in from prediction houses and filmmakers, highlighting their box office performance. There is a perception that a section of the audience only watches films on the big screen if they have achieved a certain box office milestone.
During a discussion with India Today, director Kabir Khan, known for films like “83” and “Bajrangi Bhaijaan,” mentioned that these trends in the industry are transient. According to him, producers, studios, or distributors believe that it might boost their business. “I don’t have a moral stance on it as they are not hurting anyone,” he shared.
Khan noted that the industry has become overly focused on numbers, which he considers unhealthy. He reflected on the past when opening numbers of films were not widely known. Drawing parallels to classics like “Sholay” and “Deewar,” he admitted to not being aware of the box office earnings of these iconic films. “It has now turned into a game, and people are eager to participate,” he revealed.
Kabir Khan believes many in Bollywood inflate box office figures
While acknowledging the prevalence of citing numbers in today’s Bollywood, Khan pointed out that a majority of individuals lack a clear understanding of what those numbers truly represent. He also mentioned that figures are often inflated through corporate and bulk bookings. Some individuals are fixated on achieving higher numbers through these means.
“I don’t take a moral stance as money is entering the ecosystem,” Khan stated, highlighting that concerns about inflated numbers only matter to those closely tracking them. He views this as a passing phase that is not particularly relevant. Khan’s filmography includes acclaimed titles like “Ek Tha Tiger” and “83.”
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